Amalgamated Microneedle Array Bearing Ribociclib-Loaded Transfersomes Eradicates Breast Cancer via CD44 Targeting

Biomacromolecules. 2022 Mar 14;23(3):661-675. doi: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01076. Epub 2022 Jan 3.

Abstract

HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is one of the most common and life-threatening conditions diagnosed in women. The endocrine therapy using an orally active CDK4/6 inhibitor, ribociclib (RB), is the most intriguing approach for treating HR+/HER2- MBC. However, the repeated three to six cycles of multiple dosing and non-targeted distribution of RB led to severe neutropenia; hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, and renal toxicities, and QT interval prolongation. Here, a novel organic solvent-free HA-PVA-PVP (hyaluronic acid-polyvinyl alcohol-polyvinyl pyrrolidone) composed of a microneedle (MN) array is formulated to deliver RB, integrated with amphiphilic conjugated polymer (HA-GMS)-anchored ultradeformable transfersomes. This unique MN array efficiently crafts microchannels in the skin, allowing HA-RB-Ts to internalize into the tumor cells through lymphatic and systemic absorption and interact with CD44 both spatially and temporally with an amplification of drug release time up to 6-folds. The pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies portray drug concentrations within the therapeutic window as long as 48 h, facilitating thrice-a-week frequency with the lower dose, and rule out severe toxicities, with a significant reduction in 8.3-fold RB concentration in vital organs that ultimately enhances the survival rate. Thus, the novel MN system pursues a unique embeddable feature and offers an effective, self-administrable, biodegradable, and chronic treatment option for patients requiring long-term cancer treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aminopyridines / pharmacology
  • Aminopyridines / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Purines

Substances

  • Aminopyridines
  • CD44 protein, human
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Purines
  • ribociclib